Tuesday 22 June 2010

Angling for more cash.

The topic today was inspired by a Fossdyke canal angler.

But first a word about a new development by British Waterways. Fishing along the cut is about to get even more widespread than it has in the past.  BW on their drive to raise cash, are about to lease out more stretches of the canals to fishing clubs. I know for some people, fishing is a leisure activity that helps them to wind down from the day-to-day stresses of life. Each to their own, but however fishing is not for me.  I had a friend who owned a fishing tackle shop many years ago. He said the best bait he ever discovered was to use different bright coloured paint on as many different types of float as possible. He said he could catch more anglers with the floats than the anglers would ever catch fish using them.

Today's typical angler stands, draped in more camouflage and equipment than a front-line Soldier. Trying to outwit an organism with a brain no bigger than a breadcrumb whilst getting licked in the process. It's true, anglers and fish are alike. They both get into trouble when they open their mouths. Today whilst having another tootle along the Fossdyke I came across a lone angler on the bank. Poppy the dog was on the back with me and when I spotted him we slowed down a bit. However, as he was almost hidden in the bank side vegetation Poppy started to growl when she spotted him. One word from me and she shuts up and just carries on looking at the angler. Then the world's first brain transplant donor passes on a few words of wisdom "Oi! That dog should be on a lead!"  I replied "Sounds to me like you could do with a muzzle for that mouth."  I think it's to do with the maggots, one or two must have gotten into his head. Yes, I am convinced its true -  There's a fine line between fishing and standing on the shore looking like a complete idiot.

"There are worse things in life than death. Have you ever spent an evening with a fisherman" -Woody Allen.

I have just been and purchased a small hand-held radio for use on the marine VHF frequencies. Long ago, in a previous working life I was a radio officer in the merchant navy. Not only that, but I have also held an amateur radio licence for the last quarter of a century. So I suppose I know a bit more than most how to conform to the terms and conditions of the Wireless Telegraphy Act, operate radio equipment et al.  So today I rang up the old Radio Communications Agency which has now been subsumed into OFCOM to enquire about obtaining a marine licence. I asked if there was any exemption for anyone holding professional radio communications qualifications to which the answer was no! So, I shall do the same as most of the others do along the canals and pirate on the marine frequencies.

4 comments:

  1. Wow,nice, one of the best read posts so far.

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  2. The course to gain the VHF licence is only about £80 and Lincolnshire Boat Training do the course one weekend a month in Brayford Pool. It isnt worth the fine for getting caught although as you already seem to have relaised there are a lot of unlicecenced people on the Fossdyke who have little/no idea about radio procedures which can be quite annoying when you need to relay a message and you have 10 or so people jabbering away.

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  3. Three years at marine radio college, followed up with years of practical experience beats an £80 one day sitting with Nellie session.

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  4. Unfortunatley thats how it goes, silly I know. The OH took ours, so he had to sit for 8 hours being taught how to suck eggs.

    It is amazing though how many people have no idea about radio ettiquette and some of the things you hear are astounding. Ch6 is a good one for a laugh on sunny weekends.

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